Grain spring for binder knotters



Jan. 29, 1946. P. SUTCLIFFE, JR 2,393,836

' I GRAIN SPRING FOR BINDER KNOTTERS Filed Se pt. 17, 1945 v r /0 l2 3 3/9 If /a 20 la" a/ |'N VENTOR IDETER l/TCL/FFE, 77?.

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 29, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRAIN SPRINGronnmnrzn KNOTTERS Peter Sutclifle, Jr., Birtle, Memaba','cmasApplication September 17, 1943, Serial No. 502,738 2 Claims. (01.56-472) My invention relates to hinder knotters, more particularlyhaving reference to an improved grain spring, being part of the sheafforming mechanism.

In the art to which the invention relates the grain spring as at presentin use in binder knotters does not appear satisfactory and in view ofthe strain imposed on it is subject to constant breakage andreplacement.

The present invention contemplates certain improvements in grain springsfor binder knotters by which a more even tension is provided with morelife in the action of the spring and practical elimination of breakage.

One of the objects of the invention is accordingly to .provide animproved spring of this character more efficient in operation and lesssubject to breakage than springs at present in use.

- A further object of the invention is to provide means for efficientlymounting my improved spring in the knotter to permit the spring tofunction effectively.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means forattachment of my grain spring in conjunction with the knotter guide rod.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent byreference to the accompanying description taken in conjunction with thedrawing wherein like characters of ref-- erence indicate like partsthroughout the several views and wherein- Fig. 1 is a top view showingpart of a binder knotter assembly and including my improved grainsprings.

Fig. 2 is a detail side view of the spring and including the attachingclamp and spring arm.

Fig. 3 is a'detail side view of a clamp for attachment of the spring tothe knotter shaft or casing. I

Fig. 4 shows a section of the binder frame showing attachment of theloop of the spring arm section of the grain spring.

Fig. 5 is a top view of the slide bar and including a section of theknotter shaft and lug with the slide bar in attachment thereto, andfurther including a fragment of the spring shank.

Fig. 6 shows a top view of the slide bar by itself.

Having reference to the drawing I indicates a fragmentary section'of thebinder frame, 2 generally the knotter shaft and easing substantiallyparallel to the frame section, and 3 the knotter arms, these parts beingstandard in binder equipment.

My improvedgrain spring may be more clearly understood by reference toFigure 2, and includes a spring section and a spring arm section. Thespring section comprises a shank portion 4 with intermediate integralcoiled spring 5. The section 4 terminates at one end in a hook member 6for engagement with the knotter shaft and at the other end in a hookmember 1 for engagement with the spring arm section of the grain spring.

The spring arm section of the grain spring is formed of a single pieceof material intermediately bent to provide a double loop 8 forengagement of the frame I and providing a shank section 9 with eye IIIfor engagement of the spring section hook member I, and a spring arm Hof conventional design for acting on the sheaf being formed. The springarm section is attached to the frame I by staple l2 engaging one of theloops 8 and inserted through suitable openings in said frame, the endsof the staple being bent as shown in Figure 4. The staple-issufiiciently loose to permit the spring arm to turn freely.

For attachment of the spring section to the knotter shaft I providea-collar l3 that encircles the shaft and is held .by a cotter pin M towhich the hook member 6 may engage as more clearly shown in Figure 2.The clamp or collar I3 is loose on the shaft or casing '2.

Additional to the foregoing it was found desirable in the binding oftangled grain to have a somewhat different attachment for theintermediate spring assembly. In this (see Figures 1, 5 and 6), thespring section connects .by means of a slide bar [5 to a guide rod 16,the rod I6 being a guide for the grain bundle by the knotter, a fragmentonly of the rod being shown. On the knotter shaft casing 2 is providedan integral lug l! with an eye for reception of a bent end l8 of the rodI6, the rod being secured by a cotter pin IS.

The bar 15 includes an eye 20 engageable to slide on the bent end l8- ofrod i6 and an eye 2| for engagement of the hook member'li of the grainspring.

In the use of the device the arrangement as herein provided has provedeffective, the spring arm I l raises with even tension with littlechance of breakage and after discharge of the sheaf snaps back with morelife than in the present design of spring. The comparatively looseconnection provided by staple l2 permits the required amount of play,the double loop 8 preventing side p ay.

While I have herein described a preferred embodiment of my invention itis obvious that Patent is:

1. In a grain spring for binders, said binder including aknotter shaftand easing and-parah lel frame sectioi'i and a-guidegrodito be carriedby said shaft and easing, a spring arm, means pivotally mounting saidarm free to turn on the; 3

thereof.

frame section, a spring engaging said arm, and

a plate connecting said spring-and the knotter shaft and easing throughthe medium oi the p guide rod, the connection between the plate andguide rod permitting a limited endwise movement of the plate.

2. In a binder including a knotter shaft and casing and parallel framesection, spring arms each providing a loop and a shank portion, meansindividually attaching each of said arms free to turn on the framesection, springs engaging the shank portions of the spring arms, meanssecuringsaidsprings to theknotte r shaft and easing, a'i'idla slidejibarincluded in the securing means of at least one of said springs, said barbeing mounted to permit a limited endwise movement PETER sUTcLIFFE, JR.

